Monthly Archives: May 2014

Bridal session – The Ivy Place, Lancaster, SC

I could hardly wait for her wedding to occur, so I could post these bridal images of this amazingly GORGEOUS bride! Not only is she stunning on the outside, but she is truly one of the sweetest people I’ve met. She has been my hairstylist for about two years now and during that time we have gotten quite close. That old adage “only your hairdresser knows for sure”, applies on so many levels! I was thrilled when she asked me to photograph her wedding! Oh my gosh, doesn’t every photographer want to photograph a bride that looks like a Latin super model…Oh Pick Me -I DO! You’ll hear more about Denise and her love story in my next post…her wedding. The Ivy place is fabulous for weddings or any type of session. With it’s character, charm, gardens, pond, barns, etc., it has so many options for beautiful backdrops. They also have a spacious and beautiful room to change in, so it’s really a perfect location. Terry & Genie Graham (the owners), are super sweet people, which makes the location even better! Denise is super sultry, but also has the cutest smile and dimples, GAH some girls get all the looks (love ya girl). Anyway, enough gabbing…here’s a selection of my favorites from the session. Oh, one more thing…Bridal sessions are a super good idea. I’ve probably said this before, but not only is it a great way to have a trial run on your hair, make-up, flowers & the comfort level of your shoes, but it gives you another opportunity to wear your dress! I mean come-on, you spent how much?? EXACTLY!! So why not get all dolled up and feel gorgeous for a couple of hours. And you wanna know something else? It comes in super handy when the wedding day runs behind – yup seen it happen time and time again. No matter how much planning goes into making the day run smoothly, there are just too many links in the wedding day chain. So if you have had your bridal session done, you don’t need to stress…You got this!! (more…)

Kandis & Matthew’s wedding, Palisades Country Club Charlotte, NC

It was an absolutely gorgeous day for a wedding! Kandis was so relaxed and calm even though things were running late and the adorable flower girl decided to have a “melt down” before the wedding and had to go home. Hey those things happen, it’s a wedding. I just love these two people. I know, I say that a lot. But it’s true. I’ve gotten to know Kandis a little better since I have photographed her several times. She is always fun and fabulous to photograph! She looked stunning in her dress and is a natural in front of the camera! However, I learned something new about Matthew on the wedding day. He has got some serious dance moves with great lip syncing abilities. Go Matthew!

Here is their personal story…

How They Met

Kandis was visiting Charlotte for her friend Dawn’s birthday in November of 2010. Dawn, at the time, worked for the same company as Matt. She was having a party and had invited people from her office (it’s iffy if Matt got a
n actual invitation or just crashed the party). Either way, Matt and Kandis hit it off right away…Kandis moved here for a, umm, job, and almost 3 years later, here we are with a house, a dog, a cat and a ring!

The Proposal

On Friday, January 04, 2013, Matt told me he would be making dinner (I should have suspected something was up for that in itself is highly unusual). Once dinner was ready, I came downstairs to find that he had flowers and candles on the table. I thought it was very sweet but was completely unsuspecting of any ulterior motives. He said he had a surprise for dessert – I was hoping Tiramisu, as it’s our favorite. He told me to close my eyes and when I opened them he was down on one knee…

And yes, there was also Tiramisu.

Kandis and Matthew are currently on their honeymoon in Costa Rica!!

I hope you are having a fabulous time and using enough sun screen! I can’t believe our journey together is almost over. That’s the sad part. I have had an amazing time getting to know you and hope that you stay in touch, as your lives together grow and change. Cheers to you! To a lifetime of love and Tiramisu!!

Ceasarine & Anthony are two of the sweetest people I have ever met. They chose an uptown Charlotte engagement session, to reflect their love for the city vibe. They are one of those couples that had the fortune of having a great friendship blossom into romance. The love, respect and kindness they show each other is a like a breeze of fresh air lightly scented with the smell of sweet flowers. Ceasarine loves bright colors and Anthony adores his mini cooper.

Here’s their love story:

I moved to Charlotte in the summer of 2009 and one weekend soon after I drove to Atlanta to visit my best friend Kathini. We were at a Kenyan party and 2 guys who she attended college with were also at the party, Anthony being one of them. I thought he was really cute, which I later mentioned to her. After introducing us, Miss Kathini aka Matchmaker pointed out that Anthony also lived in Charlotte and that he and I should hang out sometime.

Fast forward to a few months later, Kathini was visiting in Charlotte and we all went out to dinner. Anthony and I were able to chat and hit it off. He later got my number and asked me out to dinner. Our first “friend-date” was at Maggiano’s and he will be quick to point out that I was one hour and twenty minutes late (oops, sorry baby) but I’m sure it was worth the wait! 🙂 We became good friends and realized that we had a whole lot in common and that there was something more to our friendship. The rest, as they say, is history.

WHAT I LOVE ABOUT ANTHONY

He is my ROCK and is always there for me. He has been by my side through some of the toughest moments in my life and for that I will be forever grateful. All the little things he does like bringing me flowers when he gets home from a long work trip or giving me his amazing “Anthony hugs” that make everything better make me love him more everyday.

Brooke & AJ chose to have their country engagement session at Aw Shucks Farm, which is also where they are having their wedding. Brooke & AJ, were one of the runner up couples from my 2014 Wedding Giveaway and received a complimentary engagement session!

Here is their engagement story:

I’m Brooke, I will become Mrs. AJ Gamble on June 28th, 2014, at Aw Shucks Farms in Monroe, NC. I am entering this giveaway because I haven’t picked a photographer yet and pictures are my life! There is nothing better than being able to look back at all the memories you have captured along your journey. AJ and I had mutual friends, but never really talked. We started talking after I got out of an almost 5 year relationship and got engaged 1 month and 2 days after we started dating. Needless to say we use the phrase “When ya know, ya know!” rather often..I even had it engraved into the inside his wedding band. He bought my ring on a Wednesday, planning to propose in front of all our family and friends on the next Sunday. On Thursday we went to eat with some friends and he texted my mom and told her to get the camera ready because depending on the conversation on the way home, he may do it that night. On the way home, we did not get a mile down the road and I turned to him and said “I’m gonna marry you one day.” He said “What did you just say?” So I replied “I’m gonna marry you one day.” It was said 3 more times on the way home because all he could say was “I can’t believe you just said that.” Pulling in the driveway, he said “You know my last name is Gamble..so be careful what you say..I’ll call your bluff.” I told him to go ahead and call my bluff cause I was more than sure that this was where I needed to be for the rest of my life. Before I made it in the front door, he turned me around and got down on one knee telling me about how in love he was and asked me to spend the rest of our lives together. It couldn’t have been more perfect. We chose June 28th because that was the date of our first kiss.

Brooke and AJ, are very romantic people and I believe their images show the palpable passion they share for one another.